How Much Does A NASCAR Pit Crew Make?

A good NASCAR pit crew can easily be the difference between winning and losing an important race. Given the fast pace, intricately complicated work, and relatively dangerous conditions, these crewmen definitely have challenging jobs. Though there are several different figures for different crew positions, the median salary for a NASCAR pit crew member is around $250,000 per year. However, this number can differ heavily depending on a crewman’s position, expertise, and performance on the job. Read on to learn about the different pit crew positions and how they are compensated.

Crew Chiefs

As the head of the entire operation, the crew chief is the highest-paid member of the crew, usually earning somewhere between $200,000 and $1 million in annual salary. Every NASCAR pit crew has one crew chief, the top authority figure on the track who determines and coordinates the vast majority of pit stop timing and strategy. On a race-by-race basis, crew chiefs tend to take home about $10,000 and have the potential to increase that figure by around $2,500 via winning bonuses if their team comes out on top in the day’s race.

Jackmen and Fuelers

Due to the highly sensitive and dangerous nature of both of their roles, jackmen and fuelers usually walk away with around $200,000 to $300,000 in annual salary each year. This works out to around $3,000 for each race, with a potential $500 in winning bonuses. NASCAR drivers burn a lot of fuel and wear through several sets of tires during a race, so refueling and tire changes are very important parts of almost all pit stops. Jackmen conduct the first step of the tire-changing process by raising the car up off the ground in order for the tire crew to hop in and switch out the old tires for a fresh set.

This job requires exceptional reflexes and perfect timing so that the time spent on raising and lowering the car can be reduced in order to avoid delays. If they’re needed on that pit stop, the fueler will leave the pit wall with a large gas can and fill up the race car’s tank so that it can keep circling the track. This position also requires massive amounts of coordination, as splashing gasoline outside the tank during the fueling process could result in very serious injury or mechanical damage.

Spotters

The spotter nets a maximum of $2,500 per race, or $250,000 per year, and can earn up to $500 in winning bonuses. Given the loud and cramped environment of a NASCAR vehicle, drivers are often unable to get a good idea of what’s happening on the track and aren’t able to see too far ahead of them. This is where the spotter comes in; from a high-up vantage point near the track, usually called the spotter stand, a spotter will watch the race and relay important information to their driver, including hazards on the track, opportunities to pass an opponent, or signals sent from the flagger’s post.

Tire Changers

Tire changers are paid around $80,000 each year and are awarded $300 winning bonuses if their team comes out on top. The tire changers are one of the most iconic parts of a NASCAR pit crew. When the car comes into the pit, tire changers will leap over the wall and work with great dexterity to switch out the worn tires for a fresh set. Though the position is split between front and rear changers, as well as tire carriers, they are all compensated at the same rate.

Utility Men

Utility men are paid an average of $500 per race and almost never receive winning bonuses. Though they are often the lowest-paid members of a pit crew, utility men’s jobs are far from unimportant. They are in charge of picking up the slack and filling in the gaps between other crewmen, performing tasks such as removing the protective film from the car’s windshield and giving the driver water when needed. This is usually where crewmen get their start, and utility men often end up working their way up to be tire changers.

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